How to gain control of power antenna?

[SunTzuMD]

I'm having to replace the antenna mast in my 1994 Surf's power antenna. I want to be able to drop the antenna when the radio is on in case of the usual torrential downpours and high winds here on Okinawa.

Normally I would just drop a switch in to interrupt the power on signal (blue wire) from my aftermarket radio. The antenna won't go on until the radio turns on which is normal. However, when the radio is turned off, the antenna doesn't retract. It won't retract until the car is turned off.

I'm wondering if this a ground switch on the vehicle or some other crazy wiring. It should be the same as in a stateside 4Runner. Anyone tried this in their 4Runner?

 

[liljlandon]

Sounds like the antenna is ran off of the same circuit of the digital clock(if yours has one, mines an 84). I would say that one way would be to see if your stereo has a power out (some do for amps) and run the antenna motor through that. It will eliminate power when the stereo is off, and will be slightly easier than the other option.

Option b is to run a toggle switch to interupt the power between the antenna and the control. Thusly you flip the swithc off while your truck is on it cuts all power to the antenna, but if you were toleave the swtich on while your truck is off it would also save your battery becuase theres no power to the switch.
Get what im saying? B turned out to be alittle easier the more i think about it.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Do you have an after market stereo? Because I think the stock stereos all lowered the antenna when turned off....

I'm voting for the interrupter switch as well...

 

[SunTzuMD]

Yes, it has an aftermarket radio that I didn't install. What's weird is that the antenna doesn't go down when the radio is turned off.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

If the stereo is off when yous tart the truck, does it still raise? Sounds like they may bave wired it wrong.... Like switched power to the antenna.....????

 

[SunTzuMD]

No that's the funny part. If the radio is off when I start it, it doesn't go up until I turn on the radio. But when I turn the radio off it doesn't go down. Only seems to go down when I turn off the engine. I have a feeling I won't find out until I open up the dash.

Is there a radio harness diagram anywhere?

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Look in the electronics section here, I posted a link to a site with stereo wiring for just about anything.....

 

[cruiser88]

Every aftermarket radio I have ever put in a Toyota that had the power ant... had a spot on the radio to hook up to the oem side.

 

[SunTzuMD]

I don't how this thing is wired. The PO had some crazy connections that I straightened out. I found an OEM switch out of another Surf and have a interrupt in the power ant turn on lead from the stereo. I can keep the antenna from going up, but it will not come back down until the truck is turned off.

Good enough for the next 2 yrs.